Benjamin Abalos Sr. has announced his resignation as chair of the Commission on Elections today in a press conference in Mandaluyong City. It was broadcast live by ANC.

Weeping and obviously sleepless since he was fingered as having tried to bribe then-Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri in connection with the NBN-ZTE scandal, Abalos said that he will continue his “crusade” to clean his name. He was flanked by his son, Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos and members of his family.

Abalos’s resignation makes the pending impeachment complaint against him moot and academic.

UPDATE: Abalos maintains innocence and had fighting words against detractors. His announcement comes at the heels of reports that two more Members of Congress have endorsed the impeachment complaint against him.